By Emily Goddard

The Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed as a mark of respect to the victims of the Nairobi siegeSeptember 25 - The men's and women's Africa Cup of Nations due to take place in Nairobi this week has been postponed in the wake of the tragic siege in the Kenyan capital's Westgate Shopping Centre, the African Hockey Federation (AfHF) announced today.

The nation is currently in three days of mourning following the end of the four-day attack, in which 12 to 15 Islamist militants took control of the mall, leaving at least 67 people dead and a further 175 injured.

Although the Kenyan Government said that the attackers were defeated, the AfHF decided to postpone the continental hockey tournament, which offers qualification to the 2014 Hockey World Cup.

"On behalf of the AfHF, I offer our apologies to all who have worked tirelessly towards this tournament," AfHF honorary secretary general Nii Quaye-Kumah said.

"I thank you all for your patience and support during this difficult time and we also encourage National Associations to spare a thought for our brothers and sisters in Kenya [Kenyan Hockey Union] and to reach out and console them on the loss of lives."

A new date for the tournament is expected to be announced in the near future.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) also expressed "its deepest sympathies to the people of Nairobi and everyone who has been affected by this tragedy".

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